Light spilled down from above, casting half of Xiao Cheng’s face in shadow, making his emotions unreadable. Yet Lin Aiyun could inexplicably sense his displeasure. Her lashes fluttered as she reached out to loop her arms around his neck, taking a long moment before responding.
“Father and Mother want to move out and live on their own.”
“Why so suddenly?” Xiao Cheng quickly understood what had happened. His brows knitted tightly together—so much so that they could almost crush a fly. His palm gripped her waist, fingers kneading the soft flesh there.
“Is it because of what that Zhao woman said this morning?”
“Wife, you don’t have to take what people like that say to heart. You live your own life—how would others know whether it’s good or bad? Some people just have foul mouths and can’t stand to see others happy.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll go talk to Father and Mother myself. Isn’t it better for our family to live together? When I’m away during the day, you’ll have someone to keep you company—otherwise, wouldn’t it get lonely?”
Lin Aiyun sighed. Today’s events had left a deep impact on Zhang Wenhua and the others. Even if they didn’t say it out loud, she could feel that their mood hadn’t been particularly good all day. Only when they were looking at houses or fishing did genuine smiles appear on their faces.
During their evening walk, Zhang Wenhua had brought up renting again—a sign of how urgent she felt.
Lin Aiyun pulled Xiao Cheng closer, eliminating the distance between them. Seeing his frown still in place, she quickly leaned in and kissed him. When her soft lips pressed against his forehead, he visibly paused, then relaxed, listening as she spoke.
“What you said makes sense, and I understand your intentions and feelings. Honestly, I don’t really care about it either. But Father and Mother are older—they can’t brush off hurtful gossip so easily.”
“The gap between our family backgrounds is right there. It’s not just my parents—sometimes even I feel a lot of pressure. Like I’m not good enough for you. Without me, you could marry someone of equal standing, someone who could help you with your career…”
Before she could finish, her words were swallowed up. He locked his arms around her waist, his kiss fierce, his teeth and lips pressing with a force that felt like he wanted to devour her whole. Only when she was nearly breathless did he release her.
“Lin Aiyun, dare to say that again if you have the guts.”
She gasped for air, her eyes glistening. She shook her head vigorously, biting her lip in regret—why had she brought this up now? Instead of convincing Xiao Cheng, she’d only made him angrier.
But these were truly the words she had carried in her heart for two lifetimes.
She didn’t understand why Xiao Cheng had fallen for her twice. At first, she thought it was just lust, but he had proven otherwise through his actions over time. Especially in their later years, when she was no longer young or beautiful, he still maintained that intense, blazing love—even to the point of obsession.
And now it was the same. His affection was open and generous, catering to her in every detail. Unlike the previous life, there was now a youthful earnestness—always wanting to place the best things before her, and extending that kindness to her family.
But the more he did, the more the hidden insecurity inside her grew.
“I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Wife, please don’t cry.”
It wasn’t until she heard Xiao Cheng’s flustered voice that Lin Aiyun came back to herself and realized her lashes were wet with tears.
“I didn’t…”
“Still saying you didn’t?” Xiao Cheng pulled her up and held her against his chest. Feeling the dampness spreading over his heart, he hurriedly raised a hand to gently wipe the tears from her face. His throat tightened, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
“Wife, I just couldn’t control my temper when I heard you say you wanted me to marry another woman. I spoke too harshly—I’m sorry.”
“So what if we’re not from the same background? Spending a lifetime with someone you don’t love would be worse than death. Besides, if I, Xiao Cheng, had to rely on the person beside me to get ahead, how pathetic would that be? What kind of man lives off his wife!”
“And don’t ever say things like ‘not good enough’ again—it hurts me to hear that. Wife, how can you be so lacking in confidence? Listen to me: in my heart, you’re the very best. Beautiful, gentle, an incredible cook, an amazing embroiderer—a list of strengths that goes on and on.”
Hearing this, Lin Aiyun let out a watery laugh. Most of the knot in her heart dissolved, and she felt light and airy. Being praised so earnestly by Xiao Cheng was unexpectedly flustering.
The insecurity that had surfaced earlier vanished completely under the force of his words.
“But honestly, I actually feel like I’m not good enough for you. I have a bad temper, I’m not articulate, and I don’t really know how to sweet-talk girls. Before we got together, I made you angry so many times.”
At this, Lin Aiyun looked up in surprise. Noticing her gaze, Xiao Cheng bent down and kissed the corner of her eye.
“You never told me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t know. That’s why I’ve been learning and changing all this time—talking less and doing more, so I don’t accidentally chase you away with this mouth of mine and end up without a wife.”
“Material things are all external. You didn’t get together with me for money. Even if I weren’t as well-off as I am now, I believe you wouldn’t abandon me—am I right?”
After asking that, Xiao Cheng suddenly remembered some news he’d heard outside today, and his gaze darkened.
“Xiao Cheng, I will never leave you.” Lin Aiyun wiped away the few tears she had, her voice clear and resolute. “If you have no money, I’ll support you.”
“A real man doesn’t need his wife to support him—and I’m certainly not that kind of man.” Though he said that, the smile on Xiao Cheng’s face was impossible to hide. He half-jokingly rubbed her cheeks, still marked with tear tracks. “If my little crybaby shed just a few fewer tears, I’d be plenty happy.”
“Who’s a crybaby?” Lin Aiyun shuddered at the nickname. She barely ever cried! Why did Xiao Cheng act like she was weeping all the time?
“I am—I’m the crybaby! Seeing my wife cry makes me feel like crying inside too. Want to take a look?” Seeing her glare at him, that coy, flustered look made his heart itch. He couldn’t help teasing her. At the same time, his hand slowly slid down, pinched the hem of her pajama top, and pulled it up, tossing the fabric aside.
The smooth lines of muscle on his tan skin were clearly defined. His short hair, tousled from friction, revealed his sharp brow bone and forehead, softening his usual coolness and giving him a rakish air.
Combined with his shameless words, it was a powerful visual assault on any woman.
“And you call yourself bad with words?” Seductive and tempting, no one’s mouth worked better than his!
Xiao Cheng touched his left chest, a smile reaching deep into his eyes. The corners of his lips lifted as he said without shame: “Oh, really? Do you like hearing this?”
Lin Aiyun didn’t say whether she liked it or not. She suddenly reached up and grabbed his shoulders, a blush flashing across her face. She kissed him of her own accord and sweetly called out: “Husband.”
Xiao Cheng’s words today—his handling of the Zhao Chunxia situation, his efforts to cheer her up, and his heartfelt confessions—all made her feel comforted and deeply moved.
He would stand by her without question, apologize sincerely, tenderly comfort her when she cried, openly express his feelings, protect her, love her…
Everything Xiao Cheng did told her just how much he cherished her.
He definitely met the standards of a virtuous husband.
So she was willing to cherish him in return, to go along with him. From now on, she would follow his lead, gradually bury her insecurities, regain her confidence, and live her life well.
“Hiss…”
As they tumbled about, they somehow rolled to the edge of the bed. Before they could catch themselves, Xiao Cheng fell off. Lin Aiyun hurriedly reached for him but missed. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
“I’m fine.” Xiao Cheng climbed back up. Their eyes met—his dark gaze locked onto her, and he suddenly laughed. Childishly, he grasped her hand, interlacing their fingers, his voice hoarse: “Wife, say it again.”
Lin Aiyun blinked her big eyes and smiled: “Husband? Husband! Husband!”
The next second, he pulled her into his arms. Her ear pressed against his chest, and she heard his heart racing nearly out of control.
“Wife, I love you.”
Hearing this unexpected confession, Lin Aiyun felt her own heart start beating even faster than his. She immediately looked up and replied with equal fervor: “Husband, I love you too.”
Xiao Cheng gripped her slender waist and kissed her fiercely. His lips trailed downward, covering every inch of her body until he finally settled on one spot, not letting go. When she was soft and trembling, her very soul nearly sucked out, he finally launched a fierce assault.
Her lips were ravaged, her mind blank. All she could feel was Xiao Cheng’s body trembling and the relentless force of his movements.
At the moment she soared into the clouds, Lin Aiyun truly felt she might ascend to heaven. But every time, he would ease up in time, making her say “I love you” over and over.
Domineering, overbearing, yet impossibly tender.
This was her man—Xiao Cheng.
The result of such excess was that neither of them could get up the next day. At midday, Xiao Cheng still held her tight, not letting go, sweaty and unbothered, and they happily went for two more rounds.
“Later, I’ll talk to your parents. They’re not moving out—they still need to watch our kids!” Xiao Cheng nibbled her earlobe, leaving a row of fine teeth marks.
The main topic had been sidetracked last night, and even Lin Aiyun had forgotten about it. But Xiao Cheng remembered clearly—he’d taken it to heart. However…
“What kids?” Lin Aiyun was speechless. He could say such things with a straight face, but she didn’t have the nerve to hear such nonsense!
“I’m making them right now, aren’t I? Your husband will work hard—hopefully get you pregnant within these two days.” As he spoke, he pressed deeper, making his second self’s presence known.
Lin Aiyun was too exhausted to lift a hand: “…”
Whatever makes you happy.
Who knew Xiao Cheng, utterly shameless, would actually blurt this out in front of everyone?
“Pfft.” Xiao Juan spat out a mouthful of tea and covered her mouth, coughing violently. When everyone turned to look, her face flushed crimson, and she coughed even louder.
Lin Wenkang, sitting to her left, wasn’t much better off. He looked everywhere but at anyone, desperately pretending he hadn’t heard. After all, the two of them were the only unmarried ones at the table—still innocent kids.
At this, Lin Aiyun covered her face with both hands and kicked Xiao Cheng hard under the table.
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